This Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Hibiscus Gelee with Coconut Milk uses Agar Agar Flakes as the thickener. This hibiscus-flavored, aloe juice gelee is sweetened with agave nectar and topped with a lightly sweetened coconut milk. Dried hibiscus flowers give this dessert its vibrant red color naturally and imparts a clean, bright tartness similar to a raspberry in flavor. The coconut milk layer in this dessert is intentionally slightly less set than the hibiscus aloe juice layer – resulting in a more elegant feel on the palate.
If you’re looking for an easy, healthy dessert that you can make once and enjoy over the course of the week without feeling like you’re sabotaging your health goals, give this recipe for Vegan Hibiscus Gelee with Coconut Milk a try. Even without the coconut milk layer, it’s delicious.
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Hibiscus flowers on trend
Ingredients such as annatto seeds, agave nectar and hibiscus flowers have been in my kitchen for years. These are flavors I grew up with. And like an old friend, I’m very proud and fond of them. Needless to say, I was pleased to read an article by Daphne Ewing-Chow of Forbes Magazine, predicting Hibiscus as one of the Biggest Flavors of 2022. I’m glad to see hibiscus getting the attention it deserves!
In addition to having a unique, citrus and floral flavor, hibiscus is also a nutrient rich food. It’s high in vitamin C and antioxidants and is widely used in the health and beauty industry for its nutaceutical properties. Honestly, nothing calms an upset stomach like a cup of hibiscus tea.
Health Benefits of Agar Agar
Derived from red algae, Agar Agar is a plant-based ingredient that imparts absolutely no smell or taste. Its neutral flavor makes it a great substitute thickener for vegetarian or vegan dishes. And it’s more readily available than you might think.
Agar is high in fiber (80%), has no calories, no sugar, fat or carbohydrates. And it’s also an excellent source of calcium, potassium and iron. If you’re trying to make small steps toward better health, try substituting Agar Agar in place of other thickeners such as flour, cornstarch or tapioca starch.
In this vegan dessert recipe, we make a simple syrup as the base for the gelee. The vibrant, red color and flavor of the flowers is released. But something really special happens to the flowers after they are cooked. They plump up again. And their texture becomes somewhat chewy – like a candy.
I like to use them as a garnish in this Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Hibiscus Gelee dessert. Not only do they give a pop of flavor, but they also make a fun conversation starter when served this way.
Where can I find these ingredients to make this recipe for Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Hibiscus Gelee with Coconut Milk?
Although they may sound exotic, the ingredients for this Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Hibiscus Gelee with Coconut Milk recipe are easier to find than you might think. You can find Agar Agar at your local health food store, specialty market, or online. My preferred brand is Eden Agar Agar Flakes. I like to use Iberia Aloe Juice. And I get my hibiscus flowers in bulk from a local market named, Horrocks here in Lansing, Michigan. I use Thai Kitchen Unsweetened Coconut Milk in this recipe. You can use Light or Regular – either one works.
Agar can be purchased in both flakes (as in this recipe) or powder form. When making this easy Vegan dessert with Coconut Milk, it’s important to know that the powder form is much stronger, and although it can be substituted, you’ll need to adjust the amount used. In general, 1 tsp. of agar powder will deliver the same result as 1 Tbsp. of agar flakes.
A comparable version made with Prosecco
If you like this version of Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Hibiscus Gelee, you may also find my recipe for Delicious 2 Step Hibiscus Flower Prosecco Gelee an interesting variation on a theme. This hibiscus flower and prosecco gelee recipe uses sparkling soda water and Prosecco (preferably a Rosé) to give the Gelee a light wine flavor. But if you want to skip the wine altogether you can use straight sparkling water or substitute a non-alcoholic, sparkling white grape juice for the Prosecco. These small substitutions will allow you to keep the bubbles without adding the alcohol.
Easy 5 Ingredient Vegan Hibiscus Gelee with Coconut Milk
Course: DessertsCuisine: Vegan dessertsDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes15
minutesIf you are looking for an elegant dessert that is gluten free and vegan, this one’s for you.
Ingredients
- For the hibiscus flower gelee
3 cups sweetened aloe juice, original flavor.
2 Tbsp. dried hibiscus flowers
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. light agave nectar
3 Tbsp. Agar Agar flakes
- For the coconut cream
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 Tbsp. light agave nectar
1/2 tsp. Agar Agar flakes
- Garnish
Mint leaves, reserved hydrated hibiscus flowers, or fresh fruit such as kiwi, mango and strawberries
Directions
- Making the hibiscus and aloe gelee
- Have your six serving cups ready.
- In a medium-size sauce pan, combine the aloe juice, agave nectar, agar flakes and hibiscus flowers.
- Bring to a rolling boil and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and allow to stand for 5 minutes.
- Pour the mixture through a strainer into a large measuring cup or container. Reserve the hibiscus flowers.
- Fill your 6 dessert cups equally with approximately 1/3 cup of the strained liquid each.
- Transfer the gelee cups to the refrigerator to cool and thicken. This step takes approximately 45 minutes.
- Making the coconut milk gelee layer
- In a small saucepan, combine the coconut milk, agave nectar and agar flakes.
- Bring to a rolling boil and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and allow to stand for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a large measuring cup or container for easier pouring. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before topping the hibiscus gelee – approximately 5 minutes.
- Pour the coconut milk over the back of the spoon on top of the hibiscus gelee. This will ensure it does not break through to the next layer if the hibiscus gelee is still a little soft.
- Transfer the layered gelee cups to the refrigerator to cool and thicken. This step takes another 30 minutes roughly. For best results, allow the gelee to chill for at least 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, garnish with mint leaves and the re-hydrated hibiscus flowers and/or fresh fruit.
Notes
- Agar can be purchased in both flakes (as in this recipe) or powder form. The powder form is much stronger, and although it can be substituted, you’ll need to adjust the amount used. In general, 1 tsp. of agar powder will deliver the same result as 1 Tbsp. of agar flakes.
